2012 Winter Immersion Programme


National University of Singapore Research Institute (NUSRI), situated in Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (SEID), has successfully wraps up the Winter Immersion Program @ Suzhou 2012 on 2nd January 2013. Started on 9th December 2012, this program brought a total of 5 academic staff and 52 undergraduates from National University of Singapore (NUS) to China. During the 26 days (3.5 weeks) program, the participants visited a number of notable universities, companies as well as places of cultural significance in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi, Yangzhou and Suzhou. Aiming to enable the participants to experience, understand and embrace Chinese culture, the Winter Immersion Program strikes a delicate balance in presenting the past, current and future state of China.



Taking a snapshot of China’s impressive economic development, the participants visited a number of world renowned companies to learn the craft and finesses in their trade. Coming from three major disciplines such as Chemistry, Computing and Food Science, the NUS staffs and students received a warm reception at the various leading companies in their respective area. Microsoft, Nonfu Spring, Etao of Alibaba group, Wahaha, National Computer System (NCS) and many other companies had provided not merely a chance to visit them, but also in-depth seminars, engaging interactions and eye-opening demonstrations for the participants.



On the academic front, the NUS participants visited a number of top China universities like Fudan University, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhejiang University, and Nanjing University etc. Many of the universities not only represent the forerunners in academic fields, but also the inheritance of the rich Chinese culture. The exchange between the winter program participants and their counterparts in China universities provided a meaningful contrast of the different university establishments. As the final portion of the winter program, the participants had the chance to attend lectures hosted by Soochow University. The firsthand experience as a student in Chinese university greatly enhanced the experience and understanding for the NUS students.



Other than engaging the mind of the participants, the winter program also provides ample nourishments for the hearts of the participants. As a doorway to understand the rich Chinese Culture, the NUS students visited a number of famous landmarks in the various cities. Places like Shanghai Museum Ming Tomb, Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yet-sen, Hangzhou West Lake, Suzhou classical gardens etc., carried not only the natural beauty but also the long line of cultural inheritance. The history embedded in the buildings, writings and even the plants and rocks invited the participants to appreciate and embrace the common ancestral root. Other than sightseeing tours, the experience is supplemented from the various NUSRI organized lectures and activities on topics such as Chinese knots, Chinese Calligraphy, Bonsai Art, Wu Culture, etc. Last but not least, the dialects, music and local delicacies in the various cities painted a vivid picture of an ancient but very much flourishing culture.



Many regarded the 2012 China winter among the coldest in recent years. However, the participants of the winter program had experienced warmth that lingers not only on their minds, but also in their hearts. NUSRI is proud to have successfully conducted two immersion programs (Summer@ Winter@ Suzhou 2012) in 2012. Let us wish year 2013 to be equally fruitful.